2017 Draft Prospects

Discussion in 'NFL Draft' started by titan_fan_4ever, May 1, 2016.

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  1. GrayGhost1951

    GrayGhost1951 Starter

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    Defensive interior
    1. Malik McDowell, Michigan State
    Why he’s on the list: McDowell will see his fair share of DeForest Buckner comparisons given his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame, and he could have a similar dominant season. Last year was a breakout for McDowell who posted the No. 3 pass rush grade among interior defensive linemen.

    What we’d like to see: Like Buckner, pad level will always be a concern for McDowell so his ability to dig in against double teams and not get moved off the ball are two things we’ll be watching. McDowell’s 2015 closely-resembled Buckner’s 2014, and it’s a big leap to get to Buckner’s 2015 level but that’s the type of move that would vault McDowell into top-10 consideration.

    1. Jonathan Allen, Alabama
    Why he’s on the list: Allen would have been in the first-round mix had he declared for last year’s draft, so he should be right there again next year. He’s one of the nation’s best interior pass rushers with a two-year grade that rivals the top interior rushers from the 2016 draft.

    What we’d like to see: While the grades are strong against the run, Allen has been more of a rotational player the last two years, so we’d like to see him handle a heavier workload this season, especially on early downs.

    1. Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
    Why he’s on the list: Coming off a season-ending knee injury, Vanderdoes had a strong 2014 and he was off to a dominant start in week one last year. He can beat up and shed blockers at the point of attack in the running game and he’s adept at making plays on the ball carrier.

    What we’d like to see: Pass rushing is what will determine Vanderdoes’ draft position as he’s a solid run defender but he has to affect the quarterback more consistently. The sample was small, but he was off to a good start vs. Virginia last season and if he continues to improve as a rusher, he’ll move right up draft boards.

    1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
    Why he’s on the list: Hurst was equally strong rushing the passer as he was against the run last season, producing at a high level on his 418 snaps. He can shoot gaps or push the pocket with power and he may be the best player on a loaded Michigan defensive front.

    What we’d like to see: Hurst broke out last season, but the sample size is still small, so building on his impressive 418-sample is crucial. If he can have a repeat performance and turn more pressures into sacks, Hurst will become a much bigger name come draft time.

    1. Nazair Jones, North Carolina
    Why he’s on the list: Jones has graded extremely well on his 842 career snaps, using his strong hands and length to make plays against the run while also affecting the quarterback as a pass rusher. He has the long frame that 3-4 teams will covet and he’s due for a breakout 2016 season

    What we’d like to see: Like others on the list, it’s all about putting the full season together for Jones. If he can maintain the same production on full-season workload, Jones will be one of the nation’s best interior defensive linemen and a potential first-round pick.
     
  2. GrayGhost1951

    GrayGhost1951 Starter

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    Edge rushers
    1. Myles Garrett, Edge, Texas A&M
    Why he’s on the list: The size, length, and explosiveness is the first thing that shows on tape and he has the production to back up the hype. With 22 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 69 hurries on 651 career pass rushes, Garrett has been one of the nation’s best pass rushers since he stepped on campus as a true freshman in 2014. It’s that pass rush ability, along with improved play against the run that makes him a potential top-five pick.

    What we’d like to see: Garrett improved against the run in 2015 under new defensive coordinator John Chavis, and while Chavis’ defensive ends usually know how to take on and turn back pull blocks, Garrett can stand to attack those blocks with more power in his hands. If he continues to fill out his long frame, the added power will make him even more dangerous as a run stopper and as a pass rusher.

    1. Derek Barnett, Tennessee
    Why he’s on the list: Barnett’s career will forever be linked to Garrett as they both stepped right into SEC competition and established themselves as productive players as true freshmen. Barnett is a strong run defender, using his hands to shed blocks while showing the power to set a hard edge. As a sophomore, he took his pass rushing to a new level with the nation’s No. 3 overall pass rush grade.

    What we’d like to see: While can has shown the ability to pressure the quarterback, increasing his conversion rate from hurries to sacks is what will establish Barnett firmly in the first round mix. He doesn’t have the classic “twitchy” look of an elite edge rusher, and while we feel his production is more important than the look, continuing to better his athleticism in order to turn the corner quicker and perhaps add some 3-4 outside linebacker versatility can’t hurt.

    1. Charles Harris, Missouri
    Why he’s on the list: Harris enjoyed a breakout 2015 season that saw him rank ninth in the nation as a pass rusher and 10th overall among edge defenders. He picked up nearly the same number of pressures to the inside of offensive tackles as he did to the outside, in part due to perhaps the best spin move in the nation. Like Myles Garrett, Harris improved against the run in 2015 as his quick, strong hands allow him to disengage blocks.

    What we’d like to see: There were few games in which Harris completely disappeared, but he managed only one pressure over the last two games against Tennessee and Arkansas. In the run game, he needs to finish better after missing 15 of 86 tackle attempts in his two years.

    1. Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
    Why he’s on the list: A late-season surge put Wise’s potential on full display as he posted a monster pass rush grade on only 258 rushes (10 sacks, 12 QB hits, 21 hurries). His pass rush productivity against Power-5 teams was bested only by first-round pick Joey Bosa of Ohio State, so he showed that he can perform against top teams. A 6-foot-6, 272-pound frame gives Wise the position flexibility to line up on the edge while kicking inside to rush against guards or perhaps grow into a 3-4 defensive end if necessary.

    What we’d like to see: Obviously a half-season of work will need to carry into 2015 to warrant first-round consideration, so it’s all about seeing Wise build upon his strong finish, especially as opposing SEC teams have an offseason to prepare for him. Wise only played 117 plays against the run last year, so it’s important to show that he can be a disruptor on the edge while being able to hold up when lining up on the interior.

    1. Tim Williams, Alabama
    Why he’s on the list: No returning pass rusher has been more productive on a per-snap basis than Williams who picked up 52 pressures (11 sacks, 8 QB hits, 33 hurries) on only 147 rushes last season, giving him 65 pressures (12/9/44) on only 196 rushes the last two seasons. Williams has the burst to challenge offensive tackles on the edge and the quickness and hand usage to counter.

    What we’d like to see: The big question for Williams is whether or not he can be an every-down player. He’s yet to have that opportunity at Alabama, playing only 47 snaps against the run over the last two years. It will be important to see if he gets the chance to play early downs on the edge, though he doesn’t fit the mold of the classic, power edge defender that head coach Nick Saban generally employs in the run game.
     
  3. Clark

    Clark #ShoutboxAlley4Life

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    Not to knock your copy paste game - but it would help your ability to evaluate if you didn't read that stuff first. Go watch a couple cut ups. Learn what you're looking for. Enjoy the process and then go read some other evaluations on those players to see what you're missing and/or validating with.

    Kings eyes and stance tell you he's playing zone most the time. It's one of the main reasons he gets his ints.

    If you're going to have the discussion, do the work first. Hard to speak with any sort of authority if you're just reading reviews on the guy.
     
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  4. GrayGhost1951

    GrayGhost1951 Starter

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    I put them up for information. PFF has far more experienced people working for them. You may be able to do what you are talking about, but I am not that talented. I have a perception of what our needs and weaknesses are, but not so much as finding the exact person to fit them. I will leave that to you.


    An example would be Peppers. I have watched several games, and fail to understand why he is rated #1. I have seen him miss many tackles, and get faked out of his jock playing LB. But the pundits are all over him. Maybe I am wrong. I seem to be able to smoke out the bad ones, but miss some of the good ones. I was never on board with Dodd, or VY for that matter. I post them - you critique them.
     
    #314 GrayGhost1951, Dec 7, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2016
  5. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    Bottom line is there's multiple 1st round talent DBs this year, i'll trust whomever J'Rob drafts. Personally, I prefer King as well... he's more than just a zone corner, that's just his best attribute. However, he's not a guy you can just draft and magically fix our secondary... we need multiple new starters. Give me King with a free agency signing of Stephon Gilmore, then we'll still need another safety in FA or the draft as well.
     
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  6. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    If King doesn't run at least a 4.50, it will really hurt him on some boards. Doesn't mean he won't go round 1 but fewer teams would take him there. He's been fortunate that the times he's been beaten down the field there have been poor throws. In the NFL, some of those will be long completions or even TD's. So the question is, is he a better Parrish Cox who in a zone scheme can do well playing aggressively to the ball because he has help over the top, or does he turn into a shorter Richard Sherman who, despite running a slow 40 time, doesn't get beaten down the field very often and contests everything!

    Guys like Wilson and King (the one in wash, not Desmond) I have to watch more tape on. Because they are bigger they have more potential upside but also means probably more development from the NFL team. What makes me nervous is we haven't developed any cb's in quite some time despite a lot of mid-high picks.

    If they actually used Howard more I think ppl would have a higher opinion of him. He's a better blocker than Butt IMO both inline and in a wing back look where he frequently pulls across to lead block. Howard is more of a great seal blocker than a drive blocker. I think he might be a better receiver than Butt but we don't have a lot of tape for that. If you want a TE sized receiver only guy, look at Hodges!

    Cunningham blows thru OL blocks better than the other guys IMO and a pretty good blitzer. He misses more tackles than he should...sometimes because he shouldn't have gotten thru the block but he wasn't in balance enough to make the tackle. Other times he gets a bit fooled on misdirection sometimes. And he seems like a shark...the further away, the more he coasts. The closer he gets...when he smells blood, hes coming for you! I don't think I've even seen him play man coverage so far. Foster is super high energy every play, every down no matter where he is and no matter how far away the BC is. He gets thru a lot of blocks or sheer aggressiveness and effort, but he can be totally stymied on blitzes up the middle when hes just blasting the A gap. Better all around player, but might already be at his peak. Reminds me of Mosley...a very complete LB! I'd take Foster over Davis for sure though Davis is no slouch.

    You do have to wonder if the Titans will avoid a MLB who is 'only' 230lbs with JRob's mantra of size, speed, power players...Conklin, Dodd, Henry, etc.
     
  7. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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  8. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    Have you watched Gilmore play this year? He's gonna be a huge boom or bust free agent this year. I'd pass.
     
  9. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    PFF started out as fans who didn't even use the all-22, so not sure how you think they have 'far more experienced people working for them.' They are also fairly vague in how they evaluate pass coverage for instance...which makes the evaluation meaningless unless it's known and quantifiable. They also make some headscratching evaluations in other areas like giving Aaron Rodgers a below avg rating on a day when he threw 5 TD passes. When you have evaluations like that, it really draws into question the validity of what they do.

    You also assume, again, that no one on this board is more qualified than some fan who just watches the games on Sunday and is happy when we win and sad when we lose. Some have played football in HS and college. Others have coached or been involved with coaching staffs at various levels (and I don't mean pee wee). Some people know people on NFL teams...players, coaches, organizational people.

    I don't care if you like PFF or any other site, but you probably should at least source the site for TJ's sake. If I was going your route, I'd follow people who were actual NFL scouts. Of course, it's up to you to decide if they were good scouts or not too!
     
  10. Clark

    Clark #ShoutboxAlley4Life

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    Size is my other check this year at Lber for sure. I'm not sold on a 230 lber for this scheme. A lber at that size would need to be above norm strength to actually win at the poa.

    There's been considerable talks about King being short or slow. Measurments for him will be huge but "rumors" will have to wait.

    His aggressive chance taking is what leads to him getting beat or out of position. Just gotta live with some of that IF he can consistently get his hands on the ball at this level.

    Cunningham is a gap shooter - which leads to gaps being open if he fails or gets pushed out of the way. Risky business.
     
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